The accused Kilaru Kirti Teja, 29, had on Friday stabbed his grandfather over 60 times, and had attacked his 56-year-old mother Sarojini Devi when she tried to stop him, according to Panjagutta station house officer Bandari Shobhan.
Hyderabad: Police arrested a man for brutally murdering his 86-year-old grandfather V.C. Janardhan Rao, who is the chairman and managing director of the Rs 460-crore Veljan Denison Limited, for allegedly not inducting him into the company’s board.
The accused Kilaru Kirti Teja, 29, had on Friday stabbed his grandfather over 60 times, and had attacked his 56-year-old mother Sarojini Devi when she tried to stop him, according to Panjagutta station house officer Bandari Shobhan. Devi is in a critical condition in a private hospital.
“We strongly suspect that the accused Teja was drugged, while committing the crime. We collected his samples and sent them for tests,” Shobhan said.
His grandfather did not entertain Teja’s request due to his addiction after he returned from the US, police sources disclosed.
The victim, Janardhan Rao, was a native Eluru district in Andhra Pradesh. He was chairman for Veljan Denison Limited and was residing along with his daughter Sarojini Devi at his house in Greenlands when he was murdered late on February 6 night, police said.
Rao has three daughters and a son named V.C. Velmati Gangadhar Srinivas, who is a director of the company, police said.
Teja, unmarried, resides in Manikonda. He was distressed over his grandfather refusing to give him a share in his company and often complained that the company management did not respect him.
“Teja reportedly went to his grandfather to demand money, which was followed by a heated argument. The accused then stabbed the victim multiple times and fled the scene. He was later arrested,” the station house officer said.
Teja completed his masters in America and came back to India in 2018. He had developed a grudge against his grandfather as he believed that he was not treated well since his childhood, the police said.
A case of murder and an attempt to murder has been registered against Teja under section 103 (2) of the BNS and he was produced before a magistrate for judicial remand, police said.
When Deccan Chronicle contacted victim’s son Velmati Gangadhar Srinivas, he said police are investigating the case and they will come to a conclusion.
The victim’s body was taken to his native place in Eluru, where his last rites will be performed..
The victim was known for his spiritualism and philanthropy. He used to donate crores of rupees to various charitable organizations, government hospitals and TTD.
When questioned, the police said Teja confessed to murdering his grandfather, but did not disclose complete details. He said that his grandfather had done injustice to him.
Reliable police sources said that after recording the statements of the victim's family members and witnesses, Teja could be taken into police custody. “We have seized his mobile phone and are probaging in all angles,” a police officer disclosed.
During questioning, Teja said that his grandfather had done injustice to him by appointing his aunt Uma Devi’s husband as directors.
Teja had reportedly demanded Rs 7 crore, or an equal share in his other properties in the city and Eluru district. He also denied the involvement of others in the murder.
According to information on the stock markets, Janardhan Rao was credited with founding the company, previously known as Denison Hydraulics India Ltd in 1973.
His elder daughter Uma Devi and his son V.G. Srinivas are the directors of the company. U. Sri Krishna is the executive director and CEO.
The company manufactures pumps, motors, valves and custom-built power systems and a market capitalisation of over Rs 460 crore.
